With Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain all into the round of 16 after Group A and Group B played their final group stage matches on Sunday and Monday, all attention will shift towards what other teams will be joining them. On Tuesday, June 25th, Group D's matchday three matches will get underway, with France facing Poland and the Netherlands taking on Austria.
Permutations: The state of play in Group D
Here is how Group D looks ahead of matchday three
[TABLE 70 "Group D"]
Netherlands
Currently on top of Group D thanks to a 2-1 win over Poland and a draw with France, the Netherlands, who will face Austria on matchday three, are en route to securing a round of 16 spot. The Oranje will fully book their ticket if:
- They avoid defeat to Austria - a win or draw will be enough to help them earn a top two spot in their group.
- Better France's result against Poland. In short, if the Netherlands win and France draw, the Oranje will top the group. If the Netherlands draw and France lose, they will still top the group.
- If the Netherlands draw with Austria and France beats Poland, they will finish second in the group.
Interestingly, if the Netherlands and France both post the same result (both win or draw), they will both finish in first place on points. Their final ranking will be determined by goal difference, overall goals scored, disciplinary record, and finally, their ranking based on Euro qualifiers.
Likewise, if the Netherlands lose their game to Austria (and France also loses to Poland), their ranking in second and third place will be determined by the same criteria: goal difference, overall goals scored, disciplinary record, and Euro qualifiers ranking.
In addition, even if the Netherlands lose to Austria, they will still secure a round of 16 berth as one of the best-third placed teams. This is because the Oranje have already picked up four points and Albania lost to Spain on Monday.
France
France have not been at their very best, but are still in second on four points. Les Bleus are actually looking to score their first goal of this competition, having beaten Austria 1-0 via an own goal and then being held to a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands. They will face an already-eliminated Poland on matchday three and thus will qualify for the round of 16 if:
- They avoid losing to Poland or Austria do not beat the Netherlands. This result will be enough to ensure that they at least secure a top two spot.
- They beat Poland and the Netherlands fail to win their game against Austria. This result will be enough to ensure that France head into the round of 16 as Group D winners.
It is also important to note that with Albania losing to Spain, France will still secure a round of 16 spot as one of the best third-placed teams even if they lose to Poland as they have picked up four points.
Austria
Despite sitting in third spot, Austria gave themselves a huge lifeline thanks to their 3-1 win over Poland on matchday two, which has helped them bounce back following a 1-0 defeat to France on matchday one. That means that they still do have a shot at securing a spot in the round of 16 if:
- They beat the Netherlands. If Austria win on matchday three, they will secure at least a top two finish, regardless of what France does in their match against Poland.
- If Austria win and France don't, they will also head into the round of 16 as Group D's winners.
- However, if Austria draw and France lose, they will finish third in Group D - which, depending on how other teams fare, may still be enough to help them earn a round of 16 spot as one of the best third-placed teams.
Poland
Unfortunately for Poland, they have been already eliminated even before taking to the pitch on Tuesday. Back to back losses to the Netherlands (2-1) and Austria (3-1) means that it's set to be another very disappointing international outing for Robert Lewandowski, who at least will be hoping to grab a goal in this competition before he and his teammates head home after Tuesday's match.
Match facts ahead of France vs. Poland
- Poland have not beaten France in their last eight meetings (D4 L4)
- Their last competitive win over Les Bleus was back in 1982 during a World Cup third-place play-off match
- France have not lost any of their last eight Euro championship group games (W4 D4) under current manager Didier Deschamps
- However, France have not won their final group stage game in a major competition since a 2-0 win over Togo at the 2006 World Cup (D4 L4)
Match facts ahead of Netherlands vs Austria
- The Netherlands have won ten of their last 20 meetings against Austria (D4 L6)...
- ...meanwhile, Austria have lost their last seven matches against the Netherlands, which is their longest negative run against any side
- So far, the Oranje have also won their past two clashes against Austria at major tournaments (5-1 at the 1978 World Cup and 2-0 at Euro 2020)
- Austria have not beaten the Netherlands in any competition since a 3-2 victory in a May 1990 friendly tie
- The Netherlands are hoping to make it to the knockout rounds for the eighth time in their last nine Euro appearances...
- ...while Austria are hoping to qualify for the round of 16 for the second consecutive competition (they did so at Euro 2020)
Team news for Netherlands, France, Austria, and Poland
Netherlands: It appears that Ronald Koeman could expect to have pretty much a full-strength squad available for this game.
France: Although he sustained a broken nose during his team's win over Austria, there are reports that Kylian Mbappe could return for the starting XI in his team's clash against Poland.
Austria: Gernot Trauner may be a slight doubt following a muscular injury during his team's win over Poland on matchday two.
Poland: Defender Bartosz Salamon is a doubt for Poland's match against France following an ankle injury he sustained during his team's loss to Austria on matchday two. Taras Romanczuk is expected to miss this game due to an injury.
Broadcast info: France vs. Poland
Here are your live streaming and TV broadcast details to watch France vs. Poland live from wherever you are based:
[MATCH 4931311]
Broadcast info: Netherlands vs. Austria
Here are your live streaming and TV broadcast details to watch the Netherlands vs. Austria live from wherever you are based:
[MATCH 4849527]